Heart Attack Risk Factors

Some heart attack risks cannot be controlled: family history, increasing age, ethnicity and male gender. Other risk factors can be.

Heart Attack Risks You Can Prevent or Control:

• Being overweight or obese
  Eat healthy, limit portion sizes, eat more fruits and vegetables, and be physically active.
• Tobacco use
  To reduce risk: Stop using tobacco products! Call the Maine Tobacco HelpLine at 1-800-207-1230
• High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
  • Get your blood pressure check at least every two years since there are no symptoms. Talk with your health care provider to see if you should have it checked more often.
  • Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80. If it's high, work with your health care provider to control it.
  • If you have diabetes, your treatment goal is to stay below 130/80.
• Having other health conditions
  • Diabetes
  • High cholesterol
  • Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)

To reduce the risk: Visit your health care provider regularly. Ask about medications to help reduce your heart attack risk and be sure to take them as directed.